Aug. 21, 2007
Chiba, Japan - Kaitlin O'Brien got got off to a good start at the Japan International Grand Prix meet on Tuesday as she placed 10th in the finals of the 400 individual medley, which was the first event contested of the four-day meet. O'Brien was the top American finisher in the 400 IM at the international meet. O'Brien and fellow junior swimmer Pat Schirk are both competing at the meet, while Penn State head coach Bill Dorenkott is serving as an assistant coach of the team.
O'Brien placed 11th in the preliminaries, swimming a 4:49.53. She topped that with a time of 4:46.64 in the `B' finals, finishing second in that heat for a 10th place finish overall. Her time in the finals was her second-fastest of this summer over the long course (50) meter pool size. A two-time Big Ten Champion in the 400 IM, O'Brien is also scheduled to swim in the 200 IM and 200 breaststroke at the meet.
Schirk will make his first appearance at the meet on Wednesday as he will swim in the 100 backstroke. He is also scheduled to swim in the 200 back.